As our society embraces a deeper concern for the environment, more businesses are being called upon to grow green. Either through government regulations, or through consumer pressure, businesses are urged to make eco-friendly changes to the way they operate. While this is often seen as a hindrance by business owners, there are actually many benefits to going green.
1. Keeping Your Company Legitimate
Of course, the top reason for going green is to comply with government regulations and new laws. While simply complying with laws helps your business avoid fines and penalties, many businesses choose to take it a step further.
Business leaders recognize that governments are continuously looking for ways to make our society more eco-friendly. By getting ahead of the curve and making anticipated changes early, your business won’t have to scramble to comply with new regulations. You can institute changes that help you go green on your own timetable.
2. Boost Employee Morale
Some of the best HR practices don’t involve providing more benefits to your employees. Especially today, people are just as concerned with their employer’s sense of corporate responsibility as they are with their compensation packets. When their employer takes environmental concerns seriously, this shows employees that they work for a company that values the world in which they operate.
They can feel proud to work for such an employer, which will help boost morale among the entire workforce. As your employees develop feelings of pride, their efficiency and productivity will rise as well.
3. You’ll Spend Less on Supplies
As you go green, you’ll find that becoming eco-friendly is actually saving your business money. One of the biggest expenses businesses face is the purchase of paper products, but that can be reduced significantly. While you may still need to print the occasional contract or invoice, most of your documents can be stored digitally.
You can also invest in reusable items, which will vary based on your business. For instance, reusable fabric shopping bags for a retail store can be shared with customers and, by putting the store’s logo on the bag, it can also be a marketing gimmick.
4. Utility Costs Can Also Be Reduced
Going green also means making changes that can help you lower your utility bills, which represent another sizable expense in the operation of your business. One of the best eco-friendly moves you can make is to switch to LED light bulbs in your lighting fixtures. These kinds of bulbs last significantly longer, up to 20 years, and they draw less energy in their operation.
Making use of smart technology can also help you reduce energy usage, particularly in areas that aren’t frequently occupied. Smart thermostats and smart lighting controls can be programmed to shut off service to an area, while it’s unoccupied.
5. Improve Your Brand’s Image
Consumers love to support companies that take corporate responsibility seriously and learning that their favorite brand is going green is going to appeal to them. As word gets out that your business is embracing a new, eco-friendly philosophy, your reputation will become more positive and you’ll endear yourself to your customers.
Additionally, you’ll attract new customers, especially those who actively seek out green businesses. In this way, going green can actually help you grow your business.
6. Build a Safer and Healthier Environment
As you go green, you’ll be improving the quality of your business environment for your employees, as well as for your workers. People will be eager to come to work, or shop in your store, because they know you’re dedicated to safety and health concerns.
You may even be able to attract up and coming talents to come work for you, when they find out that you have enacted eco-friendly policies. The same practices that help you go green will help you create a better environment within your business.
Conclusion
Going green is becoming an urgent necessity in today’s world, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t advantages to it. Embracing eco-friendly policies and new technologies can actually help your business thrive, which is good for both commerce and the environment. Even when going green requires an initial expense, the benefits can be long-lasting and immeasurable.
Salman is a prolific environmental writer, and has authored more than 500 articles in reputed journals, magazines and websites. He is proactively engaged in creating mass awareness on renewable energy, waste management, sustainability and conservation all over the world.
Salman can be reached on salman@cleantechloops.com
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